ne CENTRAL OFFICE NEWS LETTER

A Publication Dedicated to the Future of Intercollegiate Athletics in a Nation at War

Central Office for Eastern Intercollegiate Athletics + Biltmore Hotel * New York 17, N.Y.
ASA S. BUSHNELL * DONALD C,. STUART, Jr. * Editors

Wok. <9, Bo. 1 February 10, 1945

 

KEEPING THE RECORD UNBLEMISHED

College athletics have established a good war record, It would be unfortunate
if this were spoiled by a poor post—war record.

The wartime contributions of campus sports have been significant. They have
produced legitimate and badly needed recreation nat only for undergraduates but also
for the public. More important, they have been of immense valve in the early train-
ing of members of the country's armed forces, and men in actual combat have found
that experience in athletic competition stands them in good stead in war's sterner
competitive tests.

In view of these achievements there undoubtedly will develop at war's end a
strong temptation for collegiate athletics to undertake other functions in addition
to those for which it is qualified. Already there are unmistakable indications that,
in the midst of the inevitable reaction against compulsory military service during
peace times, the proposal will be made that the vital purposes of such a training
regimen be accomplished through a nationwide compulsory sports program. This idea
will be popular for, while appealing to all those who are tired of uniforms and
military discipline, it will also appear to offer the easy way ovt. But let all be-
ware of this lazy man's panacea, for it won't work. Athletic administrators will
make a big mistake if they lend their support to any movement to have a sports pro-
gram accepted as a substitute for military training.

Sport's proper post-war job will be to assure physical fitness on the part of
the nation far superior to that possessed at the ovtbreak of World War II or at any
other time in the past. To attain this end, one hundred percent particivation in
athletic competition will be needed at schools and colleges, in towns, communities
and neighborhoods. Nevertheless, no matter how successfully this program may be
prosecuted, it will not prepare for war or protect against another war. Universal
military training will be prerequisite to this all-important objective.

Why not make mandatory for all young Americans one full year in service imme-
diately following high school graduation or, for any not continuing education to this
point, one year at age eighteen? To say that this procedure will make the country
harmfully militaristic is prattle. No longer can this nation choose whether or not
it will be more extensively militarized than it used to be. In the present war the
USA has demonstrated to other countries that overseas invasion against well armed op-
position is practicable. Therefore, in future the USA must discourage all these
other countries from the thought of yielding in wars ahead to the urge to do likewise
where American shores are concerned -- and it must do this by being ready itself to
withstand such invasion. The nation must have strength in arms, and it must have all
of its young men prepared. To disarm in the hope of influencing others to disarm —
will bring the opposite effect and will invite disaster. Experience shovld have
taught that lesson by this time.